6.7b Global Science

Global Science is a one year course of study that engages students in the various interactions that are taking place between humans and their environment. According to the author of the program Global Science is "the study of how individuals and societies use their resources and influence the environment in their attempts to satisfy human wants."

The goals of the Global Science program are:

• To build a firm understanding about the ecosystem concept.

• To explore the concepts related to the use of energy and mineral resources.

• To examine energy sources and consumption patterns and determine implications for the future.

• To build an understanding of exponential growth concepts and relate this to an understanding of population and resource situations at national and global levels.

• To examine a model of resource depletion and apply the model to an understanding of Earth's resources.

• To explore energy sources not extensively used.

• To examine how humans relate to their economic environment.

• To develop an awareness of the "Spaceship Earth" ethic and the interrelatedness of resources, economics, environment, food production and population growth.

The course includes a textbook, laboratory activities, suggested films, teacher's resource book containing information, answers to questions, details of the lab activities. The content of the course is divided into ten units of instruction as follows:

1. The Grand Oasis in Space

2. Basic Energy/Resource Concepts

3. Energy and Society

4. Growth, Population and Food

5. Energy Supply and Demand

6. Energy for the Future

7. Mineral Resources

8. Making Peace with Our Environment

9. The Economics of Resources and Environment

10. Options for the Future

Global Science Availability: